Apparently 34 Testa Rossas were built. Translated the name means 'Red-head' and refers to the red valve covers, which mark the Ferrari sports car engines since 1954. Together with its follow-ups, the TR 58 was very successful with 3 victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the years 1958, 1960 and 1961. They also won in their first year at the 1000 km of Buenos Aires, the 12 hour of Sebring and at the Targa Florio. All together, these victories gave them the world championship.

Scaglietti's concept (see above pictures) caused a sensation, Indeed, alone the comparison with the first video below, makes it clear that in the course of time, there were indeed several concepts. Typical for a hand-made car: Not only deviations in the form, but also the same form with different measurements. Indeed, an upheaval occurred, which had to do with the changeover from drum- to disc brakes. In test-drives in 1957, the first prototypes with drum brakes, had to do without mudguards, for ventilation purposes.

With the changeover to disc-brakes, they could do without openings in the car body. Wonderful, closed car bodies were created. Then however, the phase of air-flow modelling for the sake of aerodynamics, took hold and at least a part of the beauty was a thing of the past.

The reason for the creation of the TR 58, was a resolution from the highest motor-sport authority, to carry out a sports car world championship and to settle on a cubic capacity limit of three litres. For this the engine of the 250 MM was further developed. At least one of the four prototypes also used its oval tubing frame.

Right from the start, there were more cars planned for racing customers. For the main part, what was changed, were the compression ratio, the valve drive and of course the valve timing. Thereby, not only did they pay attention to higher performance, but also to the increasing of the durability, e.g., by increasing the number of stud-bolts to the cylinder and by using other valve springs. 07/15